Quantification of rutin by high performance thin layer chromatography in lepidagathis prostrata Dalz

Lepidagathis prostrata Dalz. (Family: Acanthaceae) is known as ‘Pashanbhed’ in Ayurveda. The plant is very useful in urolithiasis and possesses excellent antioxidant activity. In spite of its medicinal values scientific data on standardization of the plant is not available. In current study, an attempt has been made to bridge this gap in the scientific literature and standardize the plant. Plant was quantified for the presence of a flavonoid rutin by HPTLC in the methanol extract of the whole plant. Silica gel plate was used as a stationary phase and ethyl acetate, n-butanol, formic acid, water in the ratio (5:3:1:1) was used as a mobile phase. Developed plate was scanned at 366 nm. The percentage content of rutin in the methanol extract of plant was found to be 0.08% w/w. As per our knowledge this is first report on standardization of L. prostrata with rutin. Our finding further strengthens the use of the plant as antioxidant.